Candy Canes are the core reward of the Christmas Event in 99 Nights in the Forest. They are not a bonus currency or a cosmetic-only collectible. Candy Canes directly control your access to the event’s most powerful items, classes, and limited-time equipment. If you want to fully experience the Christmas Event and walk away with meaningful upgrades, learning how to earn Candy Canes efficiently is essential.
This guide explains, step by step, how Candy Canes work, how to prepare for farming them, and how to rescue elves as efficiently as possible.
What are Candy Canes?
Candy Canes are an event-exclusive currency used only in the Christmas Elf Shop. They cannot be replaced by Mossy Coins and they do not drop from enemies or loot containers. The only consistent way to earn Candy Canes is by rescuing stranded elves during the Christmas Event.
Items purchased with Candy Canes include exclusive classes, weapons, tools, and seasonal equipment that are unavailable outside the event. Because the event is limited-time, every Candy Cane you earn directly affects how much content you can unlock before the event ends.
How to Get Candy Canes
Candy Canes are earned by rescuing elves scattered throughout the forest. Each successful rescue rewards you with a Christmas Gift Box. When opened, this box contains Candy Canes along with additional items such as weapons, healing supplies, or extra Mossy Coins.
On average, each rescued elf rewards two to four Candy Canes, although the exact amount can vary. There is no other reliable method for earning Candy Canes, which makes elf rescues the single most important activity during the Christmas Event.
Why You Need Mossy Coins First
Before you can rescue elves, you must buy rescue tools. These tools are purchased using Mossy Coins, not Candy Canes. This means that farming Mossy Coins is always the first step before you start actively hunting elves.
Mossy Coins are commonly found in the following locations:
Rooftops of buildings and broken structures
Inside caves and abandoned shelters
Around crashed planes and damaged vehicles
Dropped by defeated cultists
Once you have enough Mossy Coins, you can begin buying the tools needed for elf rescues.
Santa Sack Tools for Elf Rescues
All elf rescue tools are sold at the Santa Sack near your camp. Each elf rescue requires a specific tool, and you cannot complete the rescue without it.
You do not need to buy every tool immediately. It is more efficient to buy tools based on the elves you find rather than purchasing everything at once.
How to Rescue the Elves
Elves appear in different situations across the map. While exact locations may change between servers, the rescue mechanics remain consistent.
Tree Elves
Tree elves are commonly found near camps or major landmarks. They are stuck high in trees and cannot climb down on their own.
To rescue a tree elf:
Purchase a Ladder from the Santa Sack
Place the ladder at the base of the tree
Interact with the elf to complete the rescue
Collect the Christmas Gift Box
This is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to earn Candy Canes early on.
Frozen Lake Elves
Some elves are stranded on frozen lakes, often in colder or northwestern areas of the map.
To rescue a frozen lake elf:
Purchase Ice Skates
Travel to the frozen lake
Equip the skates and approach the elf
Interact to complete the rescue
These rescues are slightly more expensive but still very efficient for Candy Cane farming.
Buried Elves
Buried elves are hidden under snow, usually near cave entrances or rocky terrain. They are identified by unusual snow mounds.
To rescue a buried elf:
Purchase a Shovel
Dig into snow piles near caves
Reveal the elf beneath the snow
Interact to receive the reward
These rescues are easy to miss but provide reliable Candy Cane rewards once you know what to look for.
Path or Track Elves
Some elves require you to clear blocked paths, often near icy tracks or constructed routes.
To rescue these elves:
Locate the blocked path
Use an axe or cutting tool to remove fallen trees or debris
Interact with the elf once the path is clear
These rescues do not require a Santa Sack tool but do require awareness and exploration.
Frozen lake elf location
How to Farm Candy Canes Efficiently
To maximize Candy Cane gains, efficiency matters more than speed. A focused approach will consistently outperform random exploration.
Recommended strategy:
Farm Mossy Coins before searching for elves
Prioritize low-cost rescues such as Ladder and Shovel elves
Buy tools only after confirming an elf’s location
Revisit known elf areas, as spawns can reset
Server hop after clearing visible elves to find new spawns
Each rescue may seem small, but the rewards stack quickly when done methodically.
What You Get From Christmas Gift Boxes
Every elf rescue rewards one Christmas Gift Box. These boxes commonly contain:
Two to four Candy Canes
Healing items such as bandages
Rare or festive weapons
Occasional Mossy Coins
Even when the bonus items vary, Candy Canes are guaranteed, making every rescue worthwhile.
Conclusion
Candy Canes are the foundation of the Christmas Event in 99 Nights in the Forest. Every meaningful reward during the event is locked behind them, and the only way to earn them is through elf rescues. By preparing with Mossy Coins, buying tools strategically, and focusing on efficient rescue routes, you can consistently earn Candy Canes and unlock everything the event has to offer before it ends.
For players interested in expanding their survival skills beyond the Christmas festivities, check out our Forest Taming Guide to master creature companionship, or explore the Trick or Treater Class Guide for insights into other special event mechanics.